Unsuitability of the Moving Light Clock System for the Lorentz Factor Derivation

Abstract

The moving light clock system was analyzed with respect to the orientation of the wavefront of the light pulse observed in the moving and stationary frames of reference. The plane wavefront of the light pulse was oriented horizontally in both the frames. The wavefront observed in the stationary frame was not perpendicular to the direction of the light pulse propagation. This showed different characteristics of the light pulse than that assumed in the Lorentz factor derivation. According to the horizontal orientation of the wavefront, velocity c was determined as the vertical component of the light pulse motion observed in the stationary frame. Application of this velocity distribution in the Lorentz factor derivation showed the same travel time for the light pulse observed in the moving and stationary frames of reference. The moving light clock system was therefore found to be unsuitable for the Lorentz factor derivation and illustration of time dilation, and shown to illustrate the relativity of the observation of light rather than the relativity of time.